UCLA has parted ways with defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe, interim head coach Tim Skipper announced Wednesday, just three days after it fired head coach DeShaun Foster three games into the season.
Skipper said it was a mutual separation and that the defensive play-calling will be “collaborative” for now.
“I want to personally thank him for all he’s done, especially with me, having conversations and things like that, and everything he’s done for this university,” said Skipper, who was promoted from special assistant to the head coach after Foster’s dismissal. “Just want to personally make sure I do that and get that handled. Great man right there.”
Skipper added that no other assistant coaches are expected to depart for now.
Malloe had entered his second year as defensive coordinator after being a holdover – much like Foster – from former coach Chip Kelly’s staff. UCLA ranked sixth in rushing defense and 40th in total defense in Malloe’s first year as a defensive coordinator.
However, the Bruins took a big step backward in starting the season with three losses, two of which were to Mountain West Conference foes.
UCLA ranks 118th in the nation in total defense (431 yards allowed per game) and 122nd in scoring defense (36 points allowed per game). It is tied for last in opponents’ third downs converted and second-to-last in sacks and tackles for loss through three weeks.
Malloe, 51, joined UCLA after serving as an assistant/co-defensive coordinator at Washington, becoming an outside linebackers coach for the Bruins prior to the 2022 season. Malloe then moved to defensive line coach in 2023 before being elevated to defensive coordinator in 2024 after Foster was hired and D’Anton Lynn left UCLA to become USC’s defensive coordinator.
When Laiatu Latu became the first UCLA player to win the Lombardi Award, on his way to becoming a first-round NFL draft pick with the Indianapolis Colts, Malloe was his position coach. Last season, Malloe helped develop linebacker Carson Schwesinger from walk-on to All-American status for a defense that included Kain Medrado, Ale Kaho, Jay Toia and Femi Oladejo – all of whom are now on NFL rosters.
More to come on this story.
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